About Us
For 32 years, NCAP has combined community outreach, education, advocacy and organizing to protect the health of people and the environment by advancing alternatives to pesticides. Rural residents and reforestation workers concerned about herbicide spraying in Northwest forests formed the group in 1977.
NCAP has a variety of programs benefiting rural and urban communities throughout the Northwest. NCAP is urging better protections to keep pesticides out of water; establishing safe, pesticide-free places for kids to live, learn and play; strengthening sustainable agriculture and rural economies; and educating people about using alternatives to pesticides in and around their homes.
Click here to see what we have accomplished over the last three decades.
Our People
NCAP Staff
Kim Leval, Executive Director
Kim joined NCAP as Executive Director in January 2009. Kim brings 20 years of non-profit work experience to NCAP. From 1997 to 2007, as policy analyst with the Center for Rural Affairs, Kim advocated for federal level policies to benefit family farms and ranches, sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Kim then worked as Fund Development Director for Rural Development Initiatives. Her work has included writing legislation and advocating for bills, educating the public on how to create needed reform, building programs that support alternatives to pesticides in agriculture and serving on national, regional and local boards. She holds a M.S. degree (1997) from Cornell University in Adult Education and Agricultural Extension and a B.A. (1989) in International Studies from the University of Oregon. 541-344-5044, ext. 15
Shelly Connor, Development Director
Previously, she worked as the associate director for Appalachian Voices, an environmental non-profit based in Boone, NC. In addition, she worked as director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and served on the Board of Directors for two years. She also worked as a citizen outreach director where she ran a door-to-door fundraising campaign for Montana Public Interest Research Group (MontPIRG), Sierra Club and the Human Rights Campaign. She was the co-founder of the first Montana Farm to College Program at the University of Montana in Missoula. Shelly earned her BA degree in biology and MS degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. Shelly joined the NCAP staff in 2008. 541-344-5044, ext. 17
Aimee Code, Research Associate
Aimee spent two years in the Peace Corps in Honduras promoting organic gardening and educating communities about pesticide risks. She was previously employed at the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, an EPA-funded public education group. Aimee earned an M.S. in Environmental Health and Toxicology at Oregon State University in 2000. She also holds a B.A. (1994) from Northern Arizona University, with interdisciplinary focus on international relations and environmental studies. She joined the NCAP staff in 2000. 541-344-5044, ext. 27
Edward Winter, Financial Manager
Previously, he served as financial manager of an organic juice cooperative for 12 years and worked as an accountant for 20 years. He also worked as a statistician for the National Center for Health Statistics. He earned a B.S. in mathematics and sociology from the University of Minnesota in 1964. He joined NCAP in 2000. 541-344-5044, ext. 28
Rebecca Matsumato, Membership Assistant
Rebecca began volunteering at NCAP five years ago, spurred on by a desire to protect her daughter's health, and began working here as the Accounting Assistant within a few months. She graduated cum laude from the University of Oregon in 2000 with degrees in Japanese language and Asian Studies. She is pleased to be working toward a less poisonous future.
Jennifer Miller, Program Associate
Jen coordinates NCAP's sustainable agriculture work with farmers in southern Idaho. She previously taught plant biology at Southwestern College, a liberal arts college in Kansas. Jen received her B.S. in biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1994 and her Ph.D. in plant physiology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2000. She joined the NCAP staff in 2002. Boise Idaho Office, 208-850-6504 (phone), 208-433-1827 (fax)
Josh Vincent, campaigns Associate
Josh currently does communications and outreach for NCAP's online, Pesticide Free Parks and Sustainable Agriculture programs. Before joining NCAP, he worked as the community outreach and program research assistant for Oregon Toxics Alliance. He holds a degree in graphic arts from the University of Oregon, and has worked as an organizer on environmental issues since 2006.
NCAP Board
Betty McArdle, Oregon (President)
Betty is a contract events coordinator in the greater Portland area
teaching Naturescaping, or chemical-free landscaping using native
plants and environmentally friendly gardening practices. Betty has a
rich background in non-profit environmental organizations as both a
staff and board member.
Gail Gutsche, Montana (Vice President)
Gail served four terms in the Montana State House of Representatives. Curtailed by term limits, Gail currently is a political consultant. She formerly coordinated the pesticide program for Women's Voices for the Earth in Missoula. Gail is active in women's health issues and serves on state and national boards and advisory committees. She was recently elected to the Public Service Commission.
Helen Haberman, Oregon (Secretary)
Helen is an environmental science teacher in the Rachel Carson Program, a small learning community where students gain an in-depth understanding of the natural environment at Eugene's Churchill High School. Students in the program monitor watershed health and provide valuable restoration work in partnership with government and non-profit groups. Helen previously managed a small business in Eugene. She has a master's degree in education.
Karl Arne, Washington
Karl retired from EPA in 2008, after a 28-year career that focused primarily on pesticides. He worked in pesticide risk assessment at the Office of Pesticide Programs at EPA headquarters and then moved to the Region 10 Office in Seattle in 1988. In Seattle, he served as a pesticide expert and also led the Ag Sector, and effort to coordinate EPA programs that have a connection to agriculture. Karl holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Washington State University and began his career in pesticides when he was a postdoctoral research associate at Duke University.
Martin Guerena, California
Martin Guerena is a former Peace Corps volunteer (Ecuador) with a BS from UC Davis and a MS in Agriculture, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a certified organic inspector and California Pest Control Advisor. Mr. Guerena has experience working as a farmer, farm advisor, teacher, sustainable agriculture specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is currently the integrated pest management specialist for the City of Davis, California.
Sara Nienaber, Oregon
Sara is currently a graduate student in environmental studies at the University of Oregon. She is a recent transplant to the Northwest, moving to Eugene from Ohio after earning her BA in zoology in 2009 from
Ohio Wesleyan University. Sara has previously completed research on the effects of atrazine and carbaryl on amphibian physiology, and is now interested in studying the social and political factors that can encourage alternatives to pesticides.
